Buckendoon vs Rileys Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Buckendoon (Lismore rates (OLG) and Rileys Hill (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (574.3 km and 577.4 km).
The two sit within $205 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Buckendoon
Rileys Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Buckendoon | Rileys Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,329 | +$205 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,534 | $23,329 | +$205 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,334 | $8,129 | +$205 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Buckendoon | Rileys Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Buckendoon vs Rileys Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Buckendoon and Rileys Hill cost within $205 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,350, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $205 per year.
On public transport the gap is $205 per year, $8,334 from Buckendoon versus $8,129 from Rileys Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Buckendoon cumulative | Rileys Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,534 | $23,329 | $205 |
| Year 3 | $72,741 | $72,108 | $633 |
| Year 5 | $124,945 | $123,857 | $1,088 |
| Year 10 | $269,791 | $267,441 | $2,350 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buckendoon or Rileys Hill cheaper to live in?
Rileys Hill is cheaper to run by car at $23,329 per year versus $23,534 for Buckendoon, a difference of $205 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Buckendoon and Rileys Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Buckendoon (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,329 in Rileys Hill (Richmond Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Buckendoon and $1,300 in Rileys Hill. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Buckendoon and Rileys Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Buckendoon and $17,600 from Rileys Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Buckendoon and $2,400 from Rileys Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Buckendoon and Rileys Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Buckendoon costs a cumulative $269,791 and Rileys Hill costs $267,441 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,350 in favour of Rileys Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Buckendoon and Rileys Hill is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Lismore rates (OLG and Richmond Valley rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.